A US quadruple amputee, Dayton James Webber, 27, best known as a champion cornhole player, has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Webber, who lost all four limbs after a bacterial infection when he was about 10 months old, faces charges relating to the death of 27-year-old Bradrick Wells, authorities said Monday.
Investigators say Wells was riding in Webber’s car as the front-seat passenger on Sunday at about 10:25 pm when an argument broke out between them in front of two other passengers in the backseat. Webber allegedly shot Wells and then pulled the car over in the La Plata community.
Charles County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Diane Richardson said the dispute “escalated rather quickly,” but officials do not yet know what it was about. An agency spokesperson said it is unclear how the weapon was fired or whether a gun had been adapted for Webber’s use. Richardson pointed to Webber’s online presence, noting videos on his YouTube channel of him practicing shooting.
After the shooting, investigators say Webber asked the other passengers to help remove Wells’ body from the vehicle. Those passengers refused, exited the car and fled the scene. They alerted police, who were patrolling nearby just before 10:30 pm and began searching for Webber.
Hours later, a resident of Charlotte Hall, Maryland, reported finding a body in their yard. Deputies later obtained a warrant for Webber’s arrest. His car was found about 150 miles from where the body was recovered in Charlottesville.
Authorities located Webber at a nearby hospital, where he had sought treatment for a medical issue. Albemarle County police arrested him as a fugitive when he was discharged; Charles County deputies said they planned to book him on murder and additional charges after he was transferred into their custody.
Investigators said Webber, Wells and the other passengers were all known to one another. The motive for the killing remains under investigation.
Webber gained attention as a professional cornhole player and was the first quadruple amputee to play in the American Cornhole League (ACL).
